Making progress, and my first 11 second time slip...

[cjshaker]

I went to a UMTR event Saturday at Dragway 42. I wanted to see if those 7.5 1/8 mile numbers I ran at Beaver Springs held up to an 11 second 1/4 mile time slip.

Got to the track and pulled the car out, went to fire it up....and nothing. It wouldn't fire a lick Great. The car ran fine at Beaver and it's been in the trailer since I got home. At Beaver Springs though, I noticed the tach make a couple of 'blips' on one of my trips on the return road, where the needle suddenly dropped for a split second. That has always been a tell-tale sign that my MSD pick-up was developing an issue, and since I've been through this routine countless times now (seems like anyways ), I knew what the problem was. Soooo, out came the distributor for a quick thrash and replacing it with a spare I always carry with me, reset the timing, hit the key and sure enough, it fired right up. I barely had enough time left to make the first time trial round. Glad I got there an hour early!

On the first time run of the day I was pleasantly surprised with my first 11 second time slip. An 11.51 to be exact, at 119 mph! I wondered if there was a mistake. That is over .7 quicker and 4 mph faster than I had previously ran with the exact same setup...except for the transmission swap.

On my next 2 runs, I spun the tires and ran a 11.7, then a 11.6. I made it to the 2nd round of eliminations where I ran a closer ET, but got treed pretty bad on the line. Gotta work on that! Still, it went 11.57 on my 11.55 dial that run, so needless to say, it wasn't a fluke and I was pretty darn happy with the day!

[chilly460]

Awesome progress, congrats

[Lenz]

Congrats Doug, ya gotta wonder, can 10's be far behind?  You're half way there

[turbohunter]

Dude,,,,,that’s pretty damn cool.

[427Fastback]

Well done Doug....

[jayb]

I told you that car had 11.50s in it    Congrats, Doug!

[Heo]

 

[Barry_R]

Outstanding!
Congrats on the pass.
Next target is the 10s.....

[Gregwill16]

Congratulations Doug! This is still the old motor right?

[cjshaker]

Thanks guys. I was pretty happy!

Greg, yes, still the old engine. Nothing fancy about it; basically an all stock 427 with a little bigger cam than factory. Absolutely no porting done on the intake or heads and 93 octane friendly compression.

Barry, a few weeks ago I wouldn't have believed you, but there is still more in the car. After watching some video of the run, I was still spinning the tires several revolutions on launch. Larry said I had low 11's possible with a little clutch, and I believe him now. It's hard to 'finesse' a Ram HD clutch!

[BattlestarGalactic]

Yup, MPH tells the true tale of what the car is possible of running.

Knock .3 off that 60ft and you are well into low 11's.  That's all in the clutch(and some chassis tuning).

Even my car is lacking in true ET.  It was going 10.92 Saturday at 122.8 mph.  It's gone 10.83 at 123 mph.  That's only with 1.48 60ft.  I still have way too much clutch at launch, even though I have it dialed in down track.  Just need to find the right combination to get it to leave better.  It has gone 1.41 but that is when the stars are aligned better and a really tight track.


I'm glad you showed up and ran.  I could tell you were a real happy camper at the end of the day.  Hope you can run with us again.

[cjshaker]

I'm glad you showed up and ran.  I could tell you were a real happy camper at the end of the day.  Hope you can run with us again.

Yeah, I'm sure it won't be the last time you see me at one of the events this year. I'm pretty hooked on it now and have a great time with the car. The UMTR guys seem like a good bunch and I enjoyed racing with you guys.

And you're right, I still have a lot of chassis tuning to do. The 3.19 first gear has been a crutch for lack of chassis tuning, clutch....and driver, I admit that. The video made that very clear to me. I have 2 things to concentrate on, my 60' times and reaction.

And thanks for your help at the track. I hate being the 'newbie' because I still make mistakes. I learned a lot at this event, being a more formal event than the Reunion. Lots to learn yet, but I'll get there.

[Falcon67]

Nice numbers.  Warning to you guys that get past 7.50 in the 1/8.  Not only is that roll bar and jacket area per NHRA/IHRA but at our track anything under 7.50 REQUIRES a diaper or catch pan.  That may well be spreading across to other tracks as time goes by.  The Falcon runs 7.60s and I have no plans to change that until I can fab a full pan to fit under the motor - no way to get a diaper on the car.  Dragster fits a diaper easy, so no problems there.  Best to keep up with local rules so as not to be surprised.  Like TruSTART - never know when that may come around.

[BattlestarGalactic]

The diaper rule doesn't come around til much faster around here.  They wanted 11.99 or such, but the guys running a stock late model were complaining.  Thus it got changed back to like 9.90(1/4 mile).

I can't get a diaper on the wagon very easily and if I put a pan on it...I'll just mash it up when the car stands up.......so that's out.  Even a diaper will get ripped to shreds when the car comes down.  The headers and pan are currently smashed equally and take the load when it does hit hard.

Yes, the roll bar is 7.50(1/8 mile), and Doug was concerned.   Most tracks around here are pretty easy going on that, at least for the slower side.  Don't show up going 9.50's in the 1/4 with no roll cage!  That will get you put on the trailer.

We have Tru start, but have only seen it at Norwalk(Summit Equipment).  I won a run off because of it.  Opponent left first .-025 and I went .-012 and won.  Maybe other tracks have it and I have not see it in action?  Most places are small town tracks and not up on the newest timing equipment.

[cjshaker]

Chris, I'm already in the process of upgrading the car for faster times. I've got clothing and shoes covered, and this will be going in later this year (just the roll bar, trans is already in)...



And I'm already gathering stuff for a rear battery install, required shut-off etc etc.

I had to read about TruSTART. That seems like a good thing. Can't say I'd be a fan of the diaper or pan on my car, but I understand the reasoning behind it. Oil downs really affect tracks, especially at events with lots of cars. There were a couple of oil delays at Saturdays events.

[Stangman]

Awesome Doug your really taking some big chunks out of those time slips. Feels good don’t it. It’s nice to see all the hard work paying off

[BattlestarGalactic]

There were a couple of oil delays at Saturdays events.

Stupid automatic race cars!!!!   LOL!!!

The diaper shouldn't be too horrible on a mustang.  The crossmember under the motor comes out, right?  As long as you don't have a real deep sump pan, one of the std diapers should fit.

Buddy gave me a diaper, but with that deep front sump, I'll never get it over the tube crossmember under the pan.  If I could get a diaper made with a sump built in it might fit easier?  Though every time it wacks the pan when it stands up too far, it will rip the diaper open>  No win situation.  I suppose I need to build a rub rail under there to hit the ground instead?  It really has taken its toll on my pan/headers.

[cjshaker]

Yes, the crossmember comes out. I think race headers are what would be the major pain, getting in the road. I've been thinking about making a custom crossmember because the factory tube crossmember really doesn't do much since it's crushed on the ends and doesn't have a solid flat surface that meets up with the frame. A square tube would be more beneficial I would think.

And like you, I've been thinking about a 'skid' plate to protect the bottom. I imagine as I get things sorted out and add some horsepower that the car will start standing up. I'd really like to avoid crushing headers and oil pans! That's also why I asked a while back about headers that fit with a road race style pan with baffles, to keep that stuff tucked up as high as possible. Putting extensions on the rebound bumpers will also help.

I'm curious, do you guys use some sort of spacer under your pump pick-up, to keep from pushing the pan up and blocking it from getting oil to the pump? Seems like that would be an issue the first time the pan gets pushed up. Some sort of spacer would at least guarantee that the engine doesn't get starved of oil.

[cjshaker]

Awesome Doug your really taking some big chunks out of those time slips. Feels good don’t it. It’s nice to see all the hard work paying off

Joe, yes, it feels pretty good to make some real progress. I wasn't expecting that big of a drop in ET though!

[thatdarncat]

Great results Doug, glad the work has been worth it, and paying off. As we’ve discussed before, we knew you had the power.

My home track, Brainerd International Raceway went to Tru-Start right away, and I remember posting on here about it a few years ago. Just something for everyone that goes to the track to be aware of, since it’s a mixed bag as far as what each track does.

For those who either are required to use an engine diaper, or just want to, check into the Russler II. I’ve posted in the past my racing buddy had to put one on his ‘67 Mustang when he stepped up the engine a few years ago and started running in the 9’s. The chassis shop that did some of his work custom ordered his from Russler. They will add heat resistant material in areas where your headers are close. His Mustang has the stock style front suspension and shock towers, and stock lower bolt in crossmember, along with a big Moroso oil pan, and the diaper fits great. I’ve also seen many people on the Moparts page recommend the Russler II also. The price they start at is pretty reasonable too.

www.russlerii.com

[Falcon67]

There were a couple of oil delays at Saturdays events.

Stupid automatic race cars!!!!   LOL!!!

The diaper shouldn't be too horrible on a mustang.  The crossmember under the motor comes out, right?  As long as you don't have a real deep sump pan, one of the std diapers should fit.

Buddy gave me a diaper, but with that deep front sump, I'll never get it over the tube crossmember under the pan.  If I could get a diaper made with a sump built in it might fit easier?  Though every time it wacks the pan when it stands up too far, it will rip the diaper open>  No win situation.  I suppose I need to build a rub rail under there to hit the ground instead?  It really has taken its toll on my pan/headers.

LOL - it's almost never a trans, usually a motor.  Probably 2 out of every 10 will be trans.  Trans fluid is not that bad to clean up - UNLESS the guy drives the entire length of the track. 

I don't know about an FE, but the Hookers on the Mustang with a 351C = no diaper.  Same on the Falcon - pipes hug the motor too tight to keep the blanket from burning.  Coated pipes and a kevlar+aluminized blanket might work for a while.  Falcon doesn't have a removeable cross member so that's another issue. 

I think TruSTART will have to be a division decision, agreed on by the track operators.  Accutime has it available if you want to pay for it.  Accutime Rusty wants big bucks for the update from what I understand.  Compulink had it first AFAIK.  Same as our new for 2019 Pro Footbrake class.  Rule - no trans brake in any footbrake car, no button on the wheel allowed.  That class was "no box" up through the end of last year.  Voted on by the track ops.  There are still No Box races, just not track points races nor the division finals.

[e philpott]

Just think how bad the Mopar boys have it with Diapers , many of the 60's Mopar's have the steering linkage going through the aftermarket oil pan on a lot of models , not sure what they have to do ?

Congrats on the ET improvement !!

[cjshaker]

Thanks for the link, Kevin. I'd consider a diaper regardless; If something catastrophic did happen, I can't think of anything worse than blowing oil under the rear tires at speed. Although the exhaust is probably more often the culprit. I also think I like the term "ballistic jacket" better. It sounds more manly..lol 

[BattlestarGalactic]

LOL - it's almost never a trans, usually a motor.  Probably 2 out of every 10 will be trans.  Trans fluid is not that bad to clean up - UNLESS the guy drives the entire length of the track. 

I'm just a stick guy poking at the automatic racers.  That is who oiled down the track>  Not the stick guys(who get blamed for most).  Actually the second car was the transmission.  About the 1/8 miles mark it left go(something) and a huge cloud followed the car.  It wasn't horrible as down time was very minimal.  It was just a 11.50 car(index class).   I was kind chuckling as the driver had someone at the line getting them in the water, burnout, walked up and found the beams for them, blah, blah, blah.  I'm sorry, but that is just a bit overboard for that kind of car.  Rookie driver?  Not sure.  Family racing thing?  Could be.

[AlanCasida]

Congratulations, Doug. Well done!!

[Nightmist66]

Nice work, Doug!

[cjshaker]

Thanks, Alan and Jared.

Alan, I could finally give you a run for your money in the Galaxie, but you had to go and up the ante with your Mustang. Now I've got to step up my game again...lol

[Falcon67]

I'm just a stick guy poking at the automatic racers.  That is who oiled down the track>  Not the stick guys(who get blamed for most).  Actually the second car was the transmission.  About the 1/8 miles mark it left go(something) and a huge cloud followed the car.  It wasn't horrible as down time was very minimal.  It was just a 11.50 car(index class).   I was kind chuckling as the driver had someone at the line getting them in the water, burnout, walked up and found the beams for them, blah, blah, blah.  I'm sorry, but that is just a bit overboard for that kind of car.  Rookie driver?  Not sure.  Family racing thing?  Could be.

   Yea, when they go the do make a mess.  The staging routine for a 11.5 car sounds fun.  Could be family, I've see that with dad and new kid.  I've also seen No Prep level entourage for 13 second rides.  As long as everyone is having fun, that's the bottom line for sure. 

For cars that can't fit a diaper, it has to be a catch pan.  It's still sporadic as far as a rule.  They can and do save a bunch of cleanup time during a race - nobody like to sit in staging for an hour while the crew tries to mop up 400' of synthetic oil.  Crew's not too hot on it either.  More important, having seen the damage from roll overs at even 85 MPH, anything that helps keep the car under control saves skin and equipment. 

[57 lima bean]

Great MPH Doug.You wont loose much when your 60' is quicker.Diapers can save your azz.You never want to get crossed up in your own do do.

[Posi67]

Firstly, a big WAY TO GO to Doug for running some great numbers. Don' t ya just love a Jerico 

Now I'm going to weigh in on the Diaper debate since I have lost a couple motors to rid failure but I think this is another knee jerk reaction to what isn't a huge problem anymore. Yes, stuff can and will blow up but with new aftermarket components it just doesn't happen as often. I also agree about the auto trans or what about spitting out a rear. I've sat and waited while a lot of that stuff was cleaned up yet no Diaper mandatory for either. I'm fine if you want to run one for your own personal well being but it seems this is the cheap and easy way for tracks that won't invest in proper cleanup equipment to pass the buck.

Some tracks ban synthetic oil because it's hard to clean up. Well, if some genius can invent synthetic then surely they can make a cleaner. And don't get me started on collector tethers. No one checks, and I've seen more wheels and driveshafts come off in my lifetime than collectors. 

[BattlestarGalactic]

AH, the ol header tethers.  What a SCAM that was.  Had to be SFI rated, $250 worth!!!  Please!!

A couple $2 muffler hangers and a band clamp and my collectors aren't falling off.

(though I did loose one about 10 yrs ago.  Couldn't believe it actually, but it did happen.  Both tabs broke and it fell off about half track.  Took some finesse to get the tubes opened up to make it fit again to finish the weekend.)

[cjshaker]

Thanks, Dale. I could NOT be happier with the Jerico. It's changed the whole attitude of the car on the track. I wish I had done it years ago!

I don't even get the header collector thing. I wasn't aware it took so long to clean the track after losing one, or that they were such a danger to life and limb. Maybe a track worker burnt his fingers while picking one up? Maybe cut himself? Apparently only the NHRA understands the need for them.

[Posi67]

As I recall.. the tether thing came about after some dragster had one come off and his back tire spit it rearward into a crew or other person who shouldn't have been standing directly behind the car in the first place. Like many, I used to use a couple short fairly stiff springs to hold mine on and even a header destroying wheelie never caused the collector to come off.

Anyway, it was tethers all around and one company had them in stock and SFI rated even before the rule came out. I ran a set for awhile and guess what hits the pavement first. Ceramic coating gets scratched and the tether clamps bent up. Took them off since no one ever looked nor asked.